Supporting our school community

Zero to hero in no time flat

Zero to hero just like that

‘Zero to Hero’ by Alan Menken and David Zippel from ‘Hercules’

2021 HSC Assessment

The 2020 HSC has only just finished but we are already into the assessment period for our 2021 HSC students who have a number of tasks due this term.  I spoke at the Year 11 grade meeting this week and in terms of my introductory quote, I indicated to students that they are all equal first at the moment in all of their courses.  All the assessment marks currently sit at “zero” as marks and rankings from Preliminary (Year 11) courses reset for the HSC.  Every student is capable of improvement and becoming a “hero”.  I informed Year 11 that they have 8,500 hours until the start of their HSC exams in 2021 and they need to implement a structured approach to revision from now, so they can remember all of their learning experiences this time next year.

Screen Time and Digital Detox

I recently came across this article on the importance of having routines and clear expectations in relation to screen time in the family home:

The article stresses the importance of having a balanced approach with opportunities for students to exercise daily, eat well and sleep for 8-10 hours a night.

Pedestrian Crossing and Traffic

Thanks to everyone who provided feedback on the operation of our pedestrian crossings and local traffic. 

You are still able to provide feedback at cecilhills-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au.

School Attendance

We recently crunched some data on Term 3 vs Term 4 attendance which has improved significantly. Well done to our newly-formed attendance team which has been working on a range of strategies to improve attendance. If a student has just one day off school, they miss 300 minutes of learning which can never be experienced ever again.  As a school, we are aiming for 100% attendance.

Upcoming holidays

As teachers, we are aware of the strategies that improve learning.  Professor John Hattie from the University of Melbourne compiled these strategies in a list which he updates from time to time.

Literacy and numeracy skill level in students can reduce a little in the school holidays, which is understandable, as students are having a break.  Some ideas for the home to maintain student skills, as suggested by Professor Hattie, include:

• playing chess
• mindfulness activities
• exercise
• quality sleep
• drama/art/music activities
• outdoor activities

This list may give you some ideas for the upcoming school holidays.

Staff Award

Congratulations to Mr Julian Floriano, Head Teacher – Welfare, who was awarded an Outstanding Professional Service Award from the Professional Teachers’ Council NSW for his high-level contribution to the Society & Culture Association of NSW. This is an organisation of teachers who share best practice and provide professional support in relation to Society & Culture.

P&C Meetings

Our P&C meetings are run as informal information sessions for parents and we value your input to help us with our decision-making.  Our next meeting will be held at 6:30pm on Monday, 7 December 2020 and will occur online. 

I look forward to continuing to work with the staff, students and parents of Cecil Hills High School, the best school in NSW.

Mark Sutton, Principal